Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Italy coach Roberto Mancini hasn't called up Nicolò Zaniolo and Mattia Zaccagni, even though the Azzurri don't have a stacked frontline.

Roma and Lazio Stars Currently in Mancini Doghouse

September 21, 2022 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Lazio, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, The Azzurri

Italy coach Roberto Mancini hasn't called up Nicolò Zaniolo and Mattia Zaccagni for the next two matches, even though the Azzurri don’t exactly have a stacked frontline. The gaffer justified it by saying that he did it because of their busy schedules. However, there were ulterior and off-the-pitch reasons behind the choice.

Spalletti's Napoli clinched the Serie A after 33 years, bringing joy to the city that last witnessed Maradona lead them to the Scudetto back in 1989/90.

Sacchi Excludes Inter and Juventus from Title Race

September 21, 2022 Enrico Passarella Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Legendary coach Arrigo Sacchi believes Inter and Juventus are already out of the running for the Scudetto following their slow starts: "Unless they change very quickly, I would say that they are not in the race. It’s utopian to think that those two teams could be contenders in their current shape."

Roma have had an up-and-down start of the season, especially as far as their attack is concerned. They sit in 6th position following the loss to Atalanta.

Roma Held Back by Their Underperforming Attack So Far

September 21, 2022 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Roma have had an up-and-down start of the season, especially as far as their attack is concerned. They sit in 6th position following the loss to Atalanta, their second domestically.Tthe Giallorossi have hit the net just eight times, so they have only the ninth most prolific attack in the league.

Pierre Kalulu revisited the costly defeat against Napoli, discussed Milan’s ambitions, and discussed his future in an interview.

Kalulu Talks Napoli Loss, Milan Repeat Bid and Maldini

September 21, 2022 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Pierre Kalulu revisited the defeat against Napoli, discussed Milan’s ambitions, and his future in an interview: "Stefano Pioli tells us every day that it will be harder to win the Scudetto this season. It’s up to us to prove that we are the reigning champions."

Matthijs De Ligt and Denis Zakaria commented on their summer departures from Juventus while spending time with their respective national teams.

Juventus Catch Stray Bullets from Two Former Players

September 21, 2022 Enrico Passarella Bayern Munich, Calciomercato, Chelsea, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Matthijs De Ligt and Denis Zakaria commented on their summer departures from Juventus while spending time with their respective national teams. They were less than complimentary towards their former team, citing the lackluster style of the Bianconeri as the reason why they asked out.

President Aurelio De Laurentiis is inevitably delighted with the early success of his new-look Napoli, which are thriving following a busy summer.

De Laurentiis Gloats for Success of Revamped Napoli

September 21, 2022 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Transfer Market

President Aurelio De Laurentiis is inevitably delighted with the early strong showings of his new-look Napoli. Despite a host of meaningful departures, the Partenopei have replenished their roster with young stars and are currently top of the table alongside Atalanta after taking down Milan: "The facts speak or themselves."

Massimiliano Allegri commented on what comes with coaching Juventus a few hours after the reports about a potential early departure.

Juventus Concerned with Hefty Cost of Coaching Change

September 20, 2022 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Juventus president Andrea Agnelli called Massimiliano Allegri while the coach was spending time in his hometown Livorno before the training sessions resume. The chairman offered his support for the embattled boss. It was a further signal that the management isn’t considering sacking him for now,

Angel Di Maria commented on the entertaining draw with Atalanta and what’s going on at Juventus: "We collected an important point."

Di Maria Suspended for Two Games, Theo Hernandez Hurt

September 20, 2022 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Lazio, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Angel Di Maria received a multi-match suspension following his red card against Monza. However, the sports judge wasn’t overly severe. He was at risk of being disciplined for three tilts if his actions were deemed violent conduct. Theo Hernandez was diagnosed with a thigh strain after getting hurt in the past game.

Bayern Munich are seeking a goalie due to Manuel Neuer’s precarious health and have Mike Maignan on their radar for the position.

Milan Defense Unusually Unstable to Open the Season

September 20, 2022 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Milan leaned heavily on their defense on their way to their 19th Scudetto last season. Instead, it has displayed surprising creaks so far, even though its members are the same. The Rossoneri have kept just two clean sheets in nine matches and none in September.

Simone Inzaghi took the opportunity to address the recent criticism and rumors about his future after advancing to the Champions League’s quarter-finals.

Inzaghi Searching for Recipe for Solve Inter Issues

September 20, 2022 Enrico Passarella Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Simone Inzaghi has come under fire after Inter picked up their fourth seasonal loss against Udinese. While it’s natural for the coach to face scrutiny in these situations, his connection with the management remains tight and he will be given ample time to try turning things around.

Juan Musso and Rick Karsdorp had surgeries Monday to address their severe injuries and will have to sit out multiple fixtures.

Atalanta and Roma Lose Starters for Multiple Weeks

September 20, 2022 Enrico Passarella Atalanta, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Atalanta and Roma might have to cope without two regulars for the whole string of games coming up before the World Cup. Juan Musso and Rick Karsdorp both had surgery to address their injuries Monday. The Argentinian goalkeeper sustained compound orbital and jaw fractures, the Dutchman a meniscus tear.

Ciro Immobile seriously considered quitting the Azzurri, but Roberto Mancini talked him into continuing contributing to the national team.

Mancini Convinced Immobile to Keep Playing with Italy

September 20, 2022 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Italy, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, The Azzurri

Ciro Immobile seriously considered quitting the Azzurri after the missed qualification to the World Cup, but Roberto Mancini talked him into continuing contributing to the national team: "You contemplate a lot of things when you experience big disappointments like that one. Then things changed after I spoke with the coach."

Author: Enrico Passarella